WUSD to sell surplus property

A property owned by the Willits Unified School District will be sold to help pay an upcoming bond debt payment. An advisory committee decided last week to recommend the sale of a 1.5 acre property located on East Commercial Street. The district's small community day school previously occupied the site prior to its move to a North Main Street location.

The district convened a special advisory or "7-11 Committee" to review the potential sale. The group met Nov. 14 at the district offices on Blosser Lane to consider the proposal. During the brief meeting the committee reviewed the property adjacent to Mendo Mill which has several portable structures housing a classroom and restroom facilities. The board approved the formation of the committee at its last regular meeting Nov. 6.

The committee made a formal recommendation to the Willits Unified School District Board of Trustees to sell the property and advised the proceeds be used to help reduce the district's bond debt. Last assessed in 2010, the property has an estimated value of $345,000. It will be reassessed prior to sale.

The board met in special session the next day to act on the recommendation. Following a review of the information by Superintendent Pat Johnson and a brief discussion, the board acted to sell the property and use the proceeds as part of an upcoming $4.9 million bond debt payment due in July 2014. In his last official act as a WUSD board member, Bob Harper made the motion to approve the committee's recommendation and move forward with the sale. Harper did not retain his seat following the Nov. 5 election.

Johnson explained to the board public agencies were given first priority as potential buyers for the property. Following a 60-day window for this consideration, other buyers could be considered. District officials hope to move the portable structures to other locations within the district.

The district set aside remaining bond monies earlier this year in anticipation of the payment. Currently district coffers are about $700,000 short of that goal. Proceeds from the sale if completed in time will close some of the gap. Any remaining shortage for the payment will be taken from the district's general fund.